Category: Fairy Tale Retelling

Will they be able to resist each other?
Or does fate have other plans?

The Substitute, a Single in Seattle novella from New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby & 1001 Dark Nights is now live!

Derek Langley can’t keep an assistant to save his life. He’s grumpy, demanding, and sometimes mean, which mirrors his reputation in court. Derek doesn’t have time to coddle an employee, so when the temp agency informs him their next placement will be the last, he knows he’s doomed.

Maya Sterling is excited to move to Seattle. She wants to be closer to her siblings and her new friends, and a position with a temp agency fits the bill for her new life in the city. She doesn’t plan on walking in and finding a sexy British grouch for a boss, but his gruff nature doesn’t really bother her. In fact, she’s attracted to his rough-around-the-edges nature.

They quickly realize the attraction is mutual and steam up the office. But Maya’s position with Derek is temporary, and she knows she must maintain a professional distance to preserve her sanity.

Will they be able to resist each other? Or does fate have other plans?

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Keep reading for a look inside The Substitute!

“So, why does Gray think your boss is a jerk?” Liv asks me as we walk into the department store.
“I don’t think he’s a jerk, but I’ve only known him for a week.”
Sidney scowls at me. “Why would Gray think that, then?”
“I guess Derek has a reputation for being hard to work for.” I shrug and hold up a navy-blue dress, but Stella takes it out of my hands and puts it back on the rack.
“That’s for someone in their sixties,” she informs me, shaking her head.
“Thanks. Anyway, I admit Derek can be abrupt and short, but he doesn’t bother me. At least not so far.”
I glance over at Liv, who’s watching me.
“What?”
“I’m telling you, you like him,” she says, narrowing her eyes.
“Look—”
“He doesn’t just not bother you. You’re hot for him.”
“Is he attractive?” Sidney asks, reaching for her phone. “Hell, I’ll google him. What’s his name?”
“Derek Langley,” I reply and bite my lip. This is fun. And a little nerve-racking. “He’s British. So, he does have a sexy accent.”
“Oh,” Sid says, turning the phone so the others can see. “Yeah, he’s fucking attractive.”
“Hot,” Stella agrees. “Dang, Maya, you should go for it. Wait, is he married?”
“He doesn’t wear a ring.” I consider that, tapping my finger on my chin. “Of course, not everyone does. I don’t think he’s married.”
“I can’t find any evidence of a wife,” Sidney says, tapping on her phone some more. “Unless it’s recent.”
“He’s my boss,” I reply, shaking my head. “Sure, there’s some chemistry there, but I work for him. I don’t think that’s ethical.”
I’ve caught him looking at my lips several times, and when we stand close together, he shoves his hands in his pockets as if he’s restraining himself to keep from touching me.
But maybe that’s all just in my head.
“You said yourself it’s only a thirty-day assignment,” Liv says, waving me off. “I say take those thirty days and have fun with them.”
“We’re going straight to the lingerie department,” Stella decides.
“You guys.” I laugh but don’t stop them from pulling me to the intimates section, where they choose lots of lacy, silky, beautiful things for me to try. “What if I’m being silly, and he wants no part in anything sexy with me?”
“Number one, he’d be stupid,” Sid says. “And number two, if he’s not interested, someone else will be.”
“You have a point. Okay, let’s do this.”

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**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**